SOCA02 textbook notes for chapter 16 - religion

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School

University of Toronto Scarborough

Department

Sociology

Course

SOCA02H3

Professor

Malcolm Mac Kinnon

Semester

Winter

Description

Chapter 16 Religion Theoretical Approaches to the Sociology of Religion Durkheim, Functionalism, and the Problem of Order Collective conscience: comprises the common sentiments and values that people share as a result of living together Profane: refers to the secular, everyday world Sacred: refers to the religious, transcendent world Totems: objects that symbolize the sacred Rituals: Durkheims usage public practices designed to connect people to the sacred Marx, Conflict, and Religion as a Prop for Inequality Conflict theorists have lodged 2 main criticisms against Durkheims theory of religion o It overemphasizes religions role in maintaining social cohesion In reality, religion often incites social conflict o When religion does increase social cohesion, it often reinforces social inequality Durkheim ignored this issue Marx stressed how religion often tranquilizes the under privileged into accepting their lot in life Marx religion diminishes class conflict o He called religion the opium of the people Civil religion: set of quasi-religious beliefs and practices that bind a population together and justify its way of life o Robert Bellah Religion can maintain social order under some circumstances Durkheim www.notesolution.com